Working his way to fame: Corey Greenan hits the Palace in ‘Jersey Boys’

BY KELLIE LAMBERT | REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

Corey Greenan plays Tommy in the touring company of ‘Jersey Boys,’ which comes to the Palace Theater in Waterbury this weekend. ContributedChris Stevens, left, Corey Greenan, Jonny Wexler and Tommasso Antico do a recording studio scene in the touring company of ‘Jersey Boys,’ which comes to the Palace Theater in Waterbury on Friday and Saturday. ContributedChris Stevens, left, Jonny Wexler, Tommasso Antico and Corey Greenan perform ‘My Eyes Adored You’ in the touring company of ‘Jersey Boys,’ which comes to the Palace Theater in Waterbury on Friday and Saturday. ContributedCorey Greenan, left, Tommasso Antico, Jonny Wexler and Chris Stevens perform ‘Sherry’ in the touring company of ‘Jersey Boys,’ which comes to the Palace Theater in Waterbury on Friday and Saturday. Contributed

Corey Greenan was a late bloomer to theater.

Growing up in northern California, he was in the choir, but in his senior year of high school, he decided to try out for the high school musical.

That role – in the classic musical “Once on This Island” – changed the course of his life.

“After that, I know I wanted to be in theater. I went to Pepperdine University, majored in theater, and moved to New York in 2005 … And I’ve had a pretty good run ever since,” Greenan said via telephone from Chattanooga, Tenn., where he is on tour with “Jersey Boys.”

The musical arrives in Waterbury this weekend for three shows at the Palace Theater.

“Jersey Boys” is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as it tells the story of the group’s formation. The musical is presented in documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation, success and eventual breakup of the 1960s group.

The musical – which has music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice – is structured into four “seasons,” each narrated by a different member of the group who gives his own perspective on its history and music.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 2005 and closed last year. “Jersey Boys” now lives on out on the road in national tours, as well as in productions around the world, including in London’s West End. “Jersey Boys” won four Tony Awards in 2006, including Best Musical, and won the 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

The musical’s music is iconic: Hits woven into the show include “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” “December 1963 (Oh, What A Night),” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Stay,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Working My Way Back to You” and “Rag Doll,” among others, giving the audience a nostalgic walk down memory lane through the power of song.

“You can see it in the audience, you see people grab someone’s hand, or give them a kiss,” Greenan said. “There are special moments associated with these songs.”

Although the actors pay homage to the real-life people they are portraying, they are not imitating them, he said.

“They didn’t want us to do impersonations,” said Greenan, who plays Tommy DeVito. “They want us to bring our best selves to these roles as well. They don’t want a cartoon caricature of them, because they are real. Of course, there is an added pressure to playing someone real, but it’s not put on us by the direction.”

He said the real life Four Seasons have come to see performances on the tour: Frankie Valli watched the tour in Los Angeles, and Bob Gaudio came to a Nashville performance.

“It’s really exciting when they come, but it raises the pressure a bit,” he said.

The 38-year-old performer is used to the pressure. Right after he moved to New York a dozen years ago, he landed a spot on the “Mamma Mia” national tour, which lasted a year and a half. When the tour ended, he joined the cast of the musical’s Broadway production.

His role as Tommy in “Jersey Boys,” however, is a “dream come true” and the role he’s always wanted.

“It’s so nice to finally get here,” he said. “I love that he starts the show, gets everyone engaged. I love that he’s the bad guy, gets in trouble, gets kicked out of the group. He’s trouble but also has a charm to him. He learns to hustle on the streets. There’s a reason he got as far as he did.”

California boy Greenan had to master one special skill for this show: A Jersey accent. He said that the show made it easy to learn.

“The writing is so good in the show, it comes so easily once you start wrapping yourself around the words. We work with a dialect coach on a rehearsal, so it made it easy.”

He said his favorite part of the show is what is called “The Big Three.” Near the end of the first act, the foursome is finally together, celebrating its three No. 1 hits: “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man.” The songs are performed in a montage form, and at the end of the last song, the vocalists are all lined up.

“It’s such a beautiful moment … it’s like they’ve finally arrived after all the hard work, all the hustle. … They’ve made it. … They are on top of the world,” Greenan said. “It gives me chills some nights.”

“Jersey Boys” will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater at 8 p.m. Friday, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $57.50 to $95.50. Call 203-346-2000, log on to palacetheaterct.com or visit the box office at 100 East Main St., Waterbury.